Jill Dehnert, group publisher of lifestyle brands at Vox Media, announced today that Talia Baiocchi has been promoted to general manager of Eater, PS (formerly Popsugar), Punch, and Thrillist. In this role, Baiocchi will be responsible for developing the business of those brands, with a primary focus on growing sponsorships across platforms. Baiocchi was previously the editor-in-chief of Punch, Vox Media’s James Beard Award-winning publication covering drinks and drinking culture.
In addition to partnering with Vox Media’s revenue team on the overall advertising strategy for the brands, Baiocchi will be responsible for diversifying revenue streams, with a focus on ecommerce and events, and will take on ownership of the business strategy for the newly launched Eater app.
“Talia is a skilled media executive who developed Punch into the premiere drinks publication,” says Jill Dehnert. “In addition to her creativity and high bar for editorial excellence, Talia’s business sense built Punch over the past 11 years. I’m excited to have her in this role where she can blend her editorial expertise with her entrepreneurial spirit.”
Baiocchi founded Punch in 2013 as an independent digital vertical within Penguin Random House and Punch’s custom content studio, Punch Creative, in 2016. Serving as editor-in-chief she oversaw all aspects of editorial as well as the concept and production of more than ten books and products, along with dozens of advertising campaigns. She led Punch through its acquisition by Vox Media in 2021, and the subsequent development and launch of Pre Shift, Punch and Eater’s B2B hospitality brand. She was previously a columnist at Eater New York and wine editor at Eater.
Additionally, Chloe Frechette is being promoted to executive editor of Punch, reporting to Stephanie Wu, editor-in-chief of Eater. This new structure will provide additional opportunities for collaboration between Eater and Punch, while better streamlining food and beverage advertising opportunities, including the co-branded Pre Shift newsletter.
Frechette joined Punch in 2016 as an intern and rose to deputy editor, overseeing day-to-day operations and editorial output. A seasoned writer and editor and expert on cocktails and spirits with deep relationships in the drinks space, she has a masters degree in History of Design from the Royal College of Art where she earned distinction for her research on the material culture of cocktail consumption.
